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Friday, July 22, 2016

This is the time of year where I start thinking about preserving the flavors of summer as gardens and summer harvests are at it's prime. One way I cling onto summer is my preserving and canning fruits and vegetables so I can use them well after the summer is over. My friends at Ball Canning recently came out with a new book, the All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving. From the makers of the iconic Ball jars and Ball canning products comes the first truly comprehensive canning guide created for today's home cooks. This modern handbook boasts more than 20 brand new recipes ranging from jams and jellies to jerkies, pickles, salsas, and more.

One recipe in particular caught my eye in the book - Caramel Sauce! It was an easy recipe and such a versatile ingredient to have. I'm hosting an ice cream social in the coming weeks and this recipe was perfect to prepare in little jars to not only use for our ice cream sundae bar, but as little party favors as well.

Aside from loving this recipe, today is a special day! It's Can It Forward day and is being hosted by Jarden Home Brands,makers of Ball® brand home canning products. Fun events will take place digitally viaFacebook Live. Now it its 6thyear, Can-It-Forward Day was born from the desire to share – or pay forward - the joy and benefits of canning, bringing together canners, gardeners and food enthusiasts alike. Canning demonstrations from popularcanning bloggers, as well as the Ball brand's expert chefs will take place from10:00AM–3:30PM ETon theBall Canning Facebook page.

"Online search is the top place consumers look for canning recipes, with 55% of consumers telling us they search there for inspiration*, so Facebook Live is an ideal platform to reach new and experienced canners," said Janine Moore, Senior Brand Manager of Fresh Preserving at Jarden Home Brands. "It's our mission to instill confidence and provide the leading educational resources for those looking to can, whether it's one jar of pickles or a garden full of tomatoes. Can-It-Forward Day has long been a place welcoming of all preservers and we're thrilled to bring it to life in a new way for 2016!"

Whether participants are learning to can for the first time or looking to share preserving expertise, the spirit of "canning-it-forward" will come through in all social aspects of the broadcast as well as this year's focus on charity. To support communities offline, five small, local, non-profit organizations have been selected with the help of participating bloggers to benefit from the event. For every like, share, reaction and comment on the Can-It-Forward Day Facebook Live videos TODAY, a $1 donation will be made to one of the following local charities:

"Can-It-Forward Day comes during the peak of growing season and we're thrilled to help canners of any experience level preserve that bounty as well as help support food charities around the country," continued Moore.

Viewers will have the privilege of watching unique recipe demos throughout the day, not yet made available online, including Apricot Lavender Jam, Spicy Heirloom Tomato Chutney, Green Tomato Pickles, Fiesta Peppers, Chipotle Peach Salsa, and more. Participating internationally, canners in Jarden Home Brands' newest markets, South Africa, Australia and the UK, will join in online by sharing their own favorite canning recipes.

Those looking to learn more about the latest jamming trends and how to make the most of their fresh produce can join Can-It-Forward Day in any of the following ways:

Pledge to can-it-forward by signing up via the pledge page and share with friends.

Tune in TODAY to watch canning demonstrations via Facebook Live from 10:00AM – 3:30PM ET. Each hour, viewers will have the chance to win a giveaway prize!

Engage with any of the Facebook Live recipe videos and a donation will be made to charity.

Ask Jarden Home Brands canning experts any preserving or home canning questions via Twitter with the hashtag #canitforward from 10AM – 5PM ET. Consumers can also share their own #canitforward creations with the brand onPinterest and Instagram.